Expert: Howard Lorenz - 12/5/2007

Question
"Sir,

I've recently been working with a recruiter on joining the US Army. I'm meeting a little resistance concerning medical. I had my spleen and gallbladder removed when I was 10 years old. I was asked to visit the hopital where it took place and obtain my Medical records. I am now 32 years old and since it happened 22 years ago, there are no records for the operation. I'm healthy and the reason for the operation was my spleen was breaking up my blood instead of filtering it. They found gall stones so went ahead and took my gallbladder out and tied off my apendix while they were in there. I have had absolutely no health problems since then. I submitted the information to the recruiter, or lack there of, from the hospital. He said they will probably send me up for a consultation to see the doctor before processing me through MEPS to take the ASVAB and physical. I'm getting a little worried now that the Army doesn't want me. Am I worried for nothing? Will this operation that happened when i was 10 years old disqualify me? I hope not. Also can you give me any advice on scoring the highest I possibly can on the ASVAB. It's been quite a few years since I was in school and I'm a little worried about my score and job availability. I took all 3 short and all 3 long tests on military .com and scored decent. However my mathematics leaves something to be desired. It's been a while since I used algebra and geometry.

Thanks so much

Melvin Nieves"

Answer
In most cases where the medical records are not available, the Army will send you out for a consult. This stakes some time in setting up and the Army has to get approval to pay for the consult. In the meantime what I would do as well as go to you present doc and have them give you a letter stating how long they have seen you and that you havent had any issues in relation to your past condition.

If you have not taken the ASVAB test this could be one reason why you have not been schedule to see the doc yet. Most MEPS will not schedule any medical consults unless they know what jobs you are qualified for. If you are worried about you future score, go get an ASVAB study guide. You can find them an most book stores and cost about 20 bucks. If you are scoreing fine on the Military.com one, you should do fine.

HW